Comparison of Different Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems With Optimized PV Configuration to Realize the Effects of Multiple Schemes

Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) have a great potentiality to provide a more reliable power supply, when compared to a system based on a standalone source. The hybrid system supports the modular design that can mitigate problems associated with the use of individual sources by combining them all in a systematic procedure. In this paper, comparative study for analyzing the effects of four different systems namely: photovoltaic (PV) stand-alone with storage unit, PV-battery-grid system, PV-diesel-battery system, and PV-diesel-grid system are carried out using the HOMER software. Furthermore, an optimal cost analysis is also conducted based on net present cost (NPC). In addition, using real satellite footage with the help of HELIOSCOPE software, an effective configuration of PV array is designed based on real solar irradiance data. The cost optimization of the HRES is developed on the basis of the sets of real data collected from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna, Bangladesh. The study reveals that the approach with PV-diesel-battery system has comparatively lower NPC, less fuel cost, and a limited carbon footprint along with excess electricity to contribute to the national grid.